revealed

THE opening date for a massive £160 million train station servicing London is just days away – and all destinations and ticket fares have finally been revealed.

It is the first new station on the East Coast line for 100 years, and will be a massive boost for thousands of commuters.

As previously reported, Beaulieu Park Station in Chelmsford is being built in the north of the city and is part of a huge regeneration project in the area.

It will provide frequent trains to-and-from London Liverpool Street in just 40 minutes and opens on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

The mega station will have three platforms, a new track for passing, faster trains, plus a taxi rank, drop-off areas and bus connections. 

There will also be more than 750 parking spaces for people to leave their vehicles while using the trains.

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Parking charges start from £3.50 for an hour rising to £11.50 for the day.

London Liverpool Street connects over 100 million people annually and is one of the UK’s busiest stations.

An off-peak day return from Beaulieu Park Station to London Liverpool Street is priced at £28.20, while seven-day season tickets will cost £134.60.

A day return to London Liverpool Street during peak hours will cost travellers £42.60.

For those travelling to and from Stratford, the costs are £22.60 for an off-peak ticket, £19.70 for a standard day single and £35.30 for a standard day return.

The new service will also service Southend Airport, with tickets costing £16.90 for a standard day single, £24.10 for a standard day return, and £21.30 for a child day return. 

Residents of other cities such as Ipswich and Norwich will also benefit from Beaulieu Park Station.

The full list of fares and services is available from operator Greater Anglia.

Major upgrade

The new station is part of a major upgrade to the city.

This includes the construction of new roads and up to 14,000 new homes.

Of these, more than 4,000 homes have received planning permission so far, with 2,000 of those already built.

The project has been years in the making.

The original planning permission was granted in 2013.

Work has been ongoing since 2023 with the opening date finally on the horizon.

Chelmsford has a huge commuter rail service that sees over 15,000 passengers every day and 5.7 million annual users.

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The development of Beaulieu Park has also been put in place to try and relieve congestion in the city centre.

The new north-eastern bypass will make access to the new station from surrounding towns such as Braintree much easier.

There’s A New Train Operator In Town …

They hope to challenge Eurostar with trips across the Channel…

A brand-new train operator is hoping to launch services between the UK and Europe, offering ‘competitive fares’ for passengers.

Currently, Eurostar is the only rail operator that connects the UK to destinations across Europe, including cities in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

This could all change as a new train operating company, Gemini,has announced its plans to launch services between the UK and Europe.

The new train operator, which is currently being established, hopes to begin its rail journey by launching services from London to Paris and Brussels.

Once services between London and Paris/Brussels have launched, Gemini hopes to further its list of European destinations.

The new rail operator plans to introduce ‘new cutting-edge trains and a fresh approach to sales and ticketing’ on services between the UK and Europe.

Two iconic stars of the ITV soap Coronation Street have shared what their future with the soap is looking like after fans feared they would be leaving the show

Coronation Street legends William Roache and Barbara Knox have opened up about their future on the show, after accepting an award for their long service to television and amid fans’ fears that they are due to leave the show.

William, 93, and Barbara, 92, were awarded with the Outstanding Contribution to Television Award at the Variety Awards on Sunday (19 October).

Following the award, the pair both insisted they would not be leaving the show anytime soon, despite their combined 118 years on the show.

Coronation Street aired it’s first episode, starring William, in 1960. Four years later, Barbara appeared in an episode, and by 1972, she was back in a continuous role. When asked if they had plans to retire, both said they weren’t thinking about that as an option.

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In fact, it was the work that kept them feeling young. The nonagenarians were asked what they do to feel young and Barbara responded: “Well honestly, I think we’ve had the opportunity to work, that’s the greatest thing.

“I don’t want to and I know Bill doesn’t want to retire, because stimulus from your brain gets you up. So we’re fortunate to have been able to do that.”

They were also asked what their advice would be for actors starting their careers and William joked that “the first 65 years” were the hard part. “When young actors come to me, I say the first 65 years is the tough bit, the rest is easy.”

Before he acted, William was a captain in the British Army. He started acting on a stage in Nottingham and went on to appear in various films and TV shows before landing Ken Barlow in Corrie. As he was in the first episode, he is the longest-serving castmate on the show. In fact, he is the longest-serving actor to play a continuous role on a show ever and, as such, has a Guinness World Record.

Meanwhile, Barbara is best known for playing Rita Tanner on the show. She is the second longest-serving Corrie member, after William.

Ant and Dec also picked up an award for Outstanding Contribution to Television, while Vernon Kay was given a prize for the Outstanding Contribution to Radio. Jamie Wilson got the same for Musical Theatre, and Olly Murs was recognised for his contribution to music.

ITV, who air Corrie, were celebrated as well. They were given the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Broadcasting. The network celebrated 70 years in the business this year.

Over 70 years, ITV has become a core part of British television. They are one of the leading networks in the country, with iconic shows such as Corrie, Emmerdale, Love Island and Britain’s Got Talent under their belt.

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DIANE Keaton’s family have shared the acting legend’s cause of death in a touching tribute to her after the Oscar winner died on Sunday.

The Godfather and Annie Hall star tragically died aged 79 after her health had quickly declined, her family have confirmed.

They have now released a statement to People revealing the cause of her passing as pneumonia.

They said: “The Keaton family are very grateful for the extraordinary messages of love and support they have received these past few days on behalf of their beloved Diane, who passed away from pneumonia on October 11.

“She loved her animals and she was steadfast in her support of the unhoused community, so any donations in her memory to a local food bank or an animal shelter would be a wonderful and much appreciated tribute to her.”

A source told the outlet that Keaton’s health had “declined very suddenly, which was heartbreaking for everyone who loved her.”

Read more on Diane Keaton

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“In her final months, she was surrounded only by her closest family, who chose to keep things very private. Even longtime friends weren’t fully aware of what was happening.”

When the news of her death broke on Sunday her family had only released a short statement asking for privacy in “this great moment of sadness”.

She is survived by her two children Dexter, 29, and Duke Keaton, 25.

Keaton won the Best Actress Oscar in 1978 for her role in Annie Hall starring alongside the film’s director Woody Allen.

Many speculated that the movie was in fact based on the pair’s real-life relationship.

Keaton told The New York Times in 1977: “It’s not true, but there are elements of truth to it.”

The emergency call to first responders has been released, with medics dispatched to a “person down” in the early hours of the morning, according to audio obtained by TMZ.

“Rescue 19, person down,” a dispatcher said before Keaton was transported to a local hospital by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Touching tributes poured in for Keaton after news of her death broke.

Acting giant Ben Stiller said of the late actress: “Diane Keaton. One of the greatest film actors ever.

“An icon of style, humor and comedy. Brilliant. What a person.”

The First Wives Club co-star Bette Midler said: “The brilliant, beautiful, extraordinary Diane Keaton has died.

“I cannot tell you how unbearably sad this makes me.”

She added: “She was hilarious, a complete original, and completely without guile, or any of the competitiveness one would have expected from such a star.

“What you saw was who she was…oh, la, lala!”

Hollywood legend Al Pacino – who starred alongside Keaton in the Godfather – is said to regret not marrying the star after their on-and-off relationship.

An insider told the Daily Mail: “For years after he and Diane split, Al used to say, ‘if it’s meant to be, it’s never too late for a do-over.’ But sadly, now it is.”

Keaton left an estimated £75million estate following her death.

On top of her acting earnings, she had invested in real estate, to build a large fortune of over $100million.

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In California, she sold a home at Laguna Beach for £9.5million, and her home in Pacific Palisades for £5million.

She also reportedly had property in Tucson, Arizona, which she sold for £1.9million four years ago.

Diane’s final post

By Hana Carter

Diane Keaton’s devastated fans flocked to her final Instagram post hours after news of the star’s death.

The actress had shared a selection of heartwarming photos of her beloved dog Reggie.

In the collaborative post with Hudson Grace, she celebrated National Pet Day back in April this year.

In one of the photos, she knelt on the floor beside her pup and pointed at a bag of dog biscuits.

Shaken by the passing of the Hollywood icon, Diane’s followers paid tribute.

“A true legend. Thank you for your talent, your animal advocacy, your immeasurable charm. You will be missed,” one wrote.

“Lost one of the greatest actors and lights of this world today,” another said.

A third wrote: “I wasn’t ready for this forever lively legend to be gone so soon.”

THE strongest passports in the world have been revealed and it is bad news for Brits.

According to the Henley Passport Index, the UK passport has dropped to eighth place – it’s lowest in a decade.

The study analyses 199 different passports, looking at how many destinations they can travel to without needing a visa.

Coming out on top is Singapore, with visa-free access to 193 countries.

This was followed by South Korea (190), and Japan (189).

Germany was the highest ranked European country, with 188 countries open to travel.

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The UK (184 countries) joined other European countries in eighth place such as Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Estonia, as well as the UAE.

Most of Europe including France, Spain and Portugal all ranked higher than the UK.

It is also the first time the US has dropped out of the top 10, now in 12th place.

The UK was once in first place back in 2015, tying with Germany.

However, the strength of the British passport has since dropped over the years.

The weakest passports include Afghanistan which has access to just 24 countries, followed by Syria (26) and Iraq (29).

The design of the UK passport is also changing later this year.

From December, as new coat of arms will appear on the front, designed by Prince Charles.

The British passport already changed back in 2020 from burgundy to blue, as well as to be signed in His Majesty’s name after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Burgundy passports and old blue design passports are still valid for use until they expire.

Just make sure to check the start date as a number of people have been caught out by confusing rules introduced post-Brexit.

Here is everything you need to know about your passport dates.

THE first glimpse of a popular UK seaside town’s £20million beachfront transformation has been revealed in brand new footage.

Located in the heart of Devon, the new project is set to redefine a stretch of stunning British coastline.

An incredible new fly-through tour has provided residents with a first look at Paignton’s bright future.

The ambitious new plans include the instalment of vital flood protection and upgrades to public areas.

After being appointed by Torbay Council, the construction firm Knights Brown has revealed that it is preparing for full-scale works to commence in early November.

The project is set to unfold in three key phases.

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It aims to protect homes, businesses, and community areas from coastal flooding, while also introducing brand new promenades, seating zones, landscaping and improved lighting.

Phase one will focus on Paignton Green North, with work scheduled for completion before the English Riviera Airshow in May 2026.

The following phase will aim to tackle Paignton Green South.

While a separate single-phase scheme at Preston seafront is due to start at the end of the year.

The £20million project is being funded by the UK government and the Environment Agency as part of broader efforts to strengthen climate resilience.

Construction zones are expected to briefly pause during the 2026 six-week summer holiday period.

Throughout construction residents will also still be able to access both beaches.

Promenades will also stay open but may be narrowed in places.

The green spaces surrounding the work will also remain fully accessible and local businesses will continue to run as usual.

Cllr Chris Lewis, deputy leader and cabinet member for place development and economic growth at Torbay Council, said: “This marks Paignton’s first large-scale transformational project—an initiative that goes far beyond flood defence.

“It will deliver a dramatically enhanced seafront experience for all, with modern design and improved public spaces that add lasting value to the area.

“More than protection, this scheme is about unlocking Paignton’s future as a thriving, vibrant coastal town.”

Mike Crook, divisional director at Knights Brown, added: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with Torbay Council on this game-changing project for Paignton and Preston.

“We have vast experience in coastal and marine projects, having worked on schemes across Wales and the UK, including Mumbles in Wales and Associated British Ports in Southampton.

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“Our team is excited to contribute to Paignton and Preston’s future—not just through construction, but by being an active and positive presence in the community.

“We look forward to working closely with residents, businesses and local organisations to ensure this project benefits everyone.”

LUKE LITTLER is a whisker away from becoming world No.1 for the first time.

The teen sensation battered Luke Humphries in Sunday’s World Grand Prix final to slash the buffer ‘Cool Hand’ enjoyed at the top of the PDC Order of Merit.

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Darts world rankings are determined by the amount of prize money a player has won in ranking tournaments over a rolling two-year period.

Littler was 16 years old and barely even on the radar two years ago.

He has racked up virtually all of his staggering £1,665,500 haul since bursting onto the scene at the 2024 World Darts Championship.

And that doesn’t even include the cash he’s banked at non-ranking events.

Humphries has been untouchable at the top of the standings for nigh on two years.

But the hiding he got from Littler in Leicester has cut the gap to just over £70,000.

Humphries will need a heroic effort to remain on top as he’s defending maximum winnings at the Grand Slam of Darts and the Players Championship Finals next month.

Josh Rock and Danny Noppert are two of the other big winners from the World Grand Prix.

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Rock, 24, is up from ninth to eighth in the world, having started the year 16th.

And Noppert has jumped from 13th to 10th after losing to Humphries in the semi-finals.

Damon Heta, Dave Chisnall and Peter Wright have all slipped further down the pecking order.

And there is more misery for 2023 world champion Michael Smith – who didn’t even qualify for the World Grand Prix – as he has dropped two places to 27th.

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AN Israeli couple whose abduction by Hamas became one of the most haunting symbols of the October 7 massacre have finally been reunited.

Noa Argamani, 27, and her boyfriend Avinatan Or, 32, were seized from the Nova music festival in southern Israel in 2023.

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Images of Noa screaming as she was dragged into Gaza on the back of a motorbike while reaching for Avinatan became one of the defining moments of the horror attack.

But this week, they were back in each other’s arms.

Video from the Re’im reception site shows Avinatan walking into a room and immediately embracing Noa, the pair clinging to each other after a harrowing 738 days apart.

The IDF shared a photo of him kissing her cheek as she smiled – a stark contrast to the terror captured in 2023.

Avinatan was among 20 hostages freed on Monday as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas brokered by US president Donald Trump.

Noa was rescued by Israeli forces in June 2024 after 245 days in captivity.

Their reunion comes with a dramatic revelation: Avinatan is a member of Sayeret Matkal, Israel’s elite special forces unit modelled on the British SAS.

His identity had been kept secret throughout his captivity amid fears Hamas would retaliate if they learned who he was.

Reports in Israeli media say Avinatan was held in isolation for more than two years, never encountering other hostages.

Medical examinations show he lost between 30 and 40 per cent of his body weight after prolonged starvation in captivity.

After his release, he reportedly asked to spend time alone with Noa – and the two shared what they called their “first cigarette together after two years.”

Noa described the horror of their abduction in a speech in Washington last week, days before Avinatan’s release.

“Avinatan and I came to the Nova music festival just to celebrate our life,” she said.

“We found ourselves in the darkest tunnels of Gaza. I cannot even begin to describe those terrible pictures.”

She said she searched for information about him throughout her captivity.

“I asked about Avinatan everywhere I went,” she recalled.

“I didn’t know if he was murdered or kidnapped, and I was afraid to know the answer.”

Noa, a Chinese-born Israeli citizen, has campaigned for the release of hostages since her rescue.

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When news broke that Avinatan was among those to be freed, she scrambled onto eight separate flights to return from Washington in time for his release.

Adding to the extraordinary turn of events, Avinatan’s employer revealed that his shares in NVIDIA had quadrupled while he was in captivity.

The company’s stock rose from $45.76 at the time of his abduction to $188.32 today.

Their reunion was one of several deeply emotional scenes on Monday as the 20 remaining living hostages were returned to Israel after more than two years underground.

Families who had campaigned for their return wept and embraced loved ones, some of whom appeared dramatically thinner and frailer than when they were taken.

Brothers David and Ariel Cunio were reunited with their partners Sharon and Arbel, while Omri Miran embraced his daughters – one of whom was just six months old when he was kidnapped.

“I’m on cloud nine,” said Omri’s father Danny.

“One moment I’m crying, the next I’m laughing.”

The hostage release follows a Trump-brokered ceasefire deal aimed at ending the two-year war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis.

It also paves the way for future stages including the disarmament of Hamas and the formation of a transitional government.

“After so many years of unceasing war and endless danger, today the skies are calm, the guns are silent and the sirens are still,” Trump said in a speech at the Knesset.

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THE first celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing has been revealed.

Controversial reality star Thomas Skinner found himself losing the public vote alongside professional partner Amy Dowden after weeks of chaos around his inclusion in the BBC show.

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After landing near the bottom of the leaderboard, Thomas ended up facing off against former England rugby star Chris Robshaw and his partner Nadiya Bychkova, in the dance-off.

All four judges opted to save Chris and kick Thomas out of the competition.

Speaking about his time on the show, Skinner said: “I’ve loved it. I’ve never danced before and my stay was short, but Amy’s amazing.

“It’s been great fun and I’ve enjoyed it. I can’t really dance that well but I’ve had fun! Thank you, Amy – sorry that we haven’t done too good, ’cause you’re a different class.”

The news leaked late on Saturday night after Sunday’s episode was recorded.

Viewers were delighted with the result with one writing: “The strictly spoiler results have absolutely made my evening. I can sleep well now. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing” 

A second said: “If the spoiler I just saw is true I cheered so loud thank you British public thank you Strictly.”

Another added: “Absolutely the right result!! Good job for once public!!”

The judges’ decision came after the couples’ scores from week one and two were added to the public vote.

It came after Skinner, who has made his name as a social media star, ended Saturday’s show with a joint score of 29, having scored just 13 for his performance.

Dowden added of her time with Skinner: “I’ve got to know the real Tom and he is adorable. He’s looked after me.

“We’ve laughed so much. We’ve worked so hard and a glitterball would have been amazing, but what I’ve learnt in the last few years is happiness, health and being alive is more important than anything. I’ve made a new friend for life and I wouldn’t change a thing.

“There is a ballroom boy in there, so I’m a bit gutted he didn’t get to do the ballroom, but the last three years, as you know, have been quite difficult for me.

“I lost all confidence as a dancer – but walking into the room with you with a massive smile and a laugh, you brought me back and, honestly, thank you.”

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It comes after Skinner hit the headlines after he admitted to cheating on his wife just weeks after their wedding in an interview with The Sun, having previously apologised for picking up a journalist’s phone and walking out of a press event for Strictly midway through.

The remaining 14 couples will take to the dancefloor next week for movie week when Strictly Come Dancing returns at 6.05pm on Saturday October 11, on BBC One and iPlayer.

Frauds stars Jodie Whittaker and Suranne Jones as two confidence tricksters

A fresh ITV drama is scheduled to debut tonight (Sunday 5th October), which is certain to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Six-episode series Frauds focuses on two expert con artists named Sam and Bert, portrayed by Jodie Whittaker and Suranne Jones. Suranne also co-created the programme and worked as an executive producer.

The duo are brought back together following their separation during a gruelling ten-year prison term. Bert secures release on compassionate grounds due to a cancer diagnosis, yet she has no intention of taking it easy during her remaining weeks. Rather, she’s determined to execute one last job that will demonstrate her capabilities.

Bert and Sam quickly set out on the most daring of art robberies, assembling a crew of exceptionally talented misfits to assist them in plotting the crime.

“Whilst the team must overcome numerous challenges before they can pull off the heist, it’s the power struggle between Bert and Sam that threatens to derail their plans and destroy them both,” the synopsis concludes, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Alongside Suranne and Jodie, the programme also stars Talisa Garcia as Miss Take, Elizabeth Berrington as Jackie Diamond, and Karan Gill as Bilal Anwar.

The ensemble is rounded out by Thais Martin as Caitlin, Javier Taboada as Blas, Christian Cooke as Deegs, Lee Boardman as Craig, Kate Fleetwood as Celine, Nansi Nsue as Amaya, and Abdul Salis as Mateo.

Where was Frauds filmed?

Frauds was shot in Tenerife earlier this year, highlighting the island’s breathtaking remote terrain and glistening coastline.

Speaking at a recent press event, the show’s co-creator Anne-Marie O’Connor revealed: “The setting of Spain [felt] like a character. How arid it is, how unforgiving it is once you’re outside of the city. And as Brits, we all know Spain, we all know a version of Spain… Once you get outside of that world, you’re back in a very sort of arid landscape.”

Executive producer Katie Kelly chimed in: “We always knew that’s where it would be set, but shooting in Tenerife offered us everything we needed and more. In a small area you can have a sort of Costa del Sol beachside strip full of clubs (with everything from drag clubs to a magician’s show), and then suddenly you can find yourself in what looks like an old Spanish town or up in lush, verdant mountains.

“In developing the show we were also quite influenced by Westerns and in that part of the world you’ve also got these desert landscapes which are vast and feel epic and dry and bring a really interesting flavour and tone to the show.”

Sam’s secluded cottage was located in a quaint northern town named La Laguna.

“It was amazing, but it rained a lot. Didn’t matter – it was stunning. It is literally gonna be in my top five places in life, I loved it so much,” Jodie Whittaker shared.

“I’ve been to the south like as a kid on family holidays and never really realised how much we’re missing out by not heading up north. You know Santa Cruz is a brilliant little city too. That’s a great thing about this job – you get to live in these incredible places for a little window in your life.”

In the series, Bert decides that she wants to steal a famous painting from the Reina Sofía museum in Madrid, where filming actually took place.

“I remember Anne-Marie and I were just walking around the Reina Sofía in the middle of the night, and it was just closed for us,” lead director Giulia Gandini recalled.

She then joked: “And we were just wandering around thinking, ‘Yeah, we could really steal something right now. We could pull this off.'”

Anne-Marie added: “Also, as well, it’s that thing of like, you know, sometimes if you just ask you get. I mean, I wasn’t responsible for asking, but it was like, ‘They said yeah’. And I was like, ‘Alright then. You know we’re nicking a painting out of here, don’t you?'”

As well as making good use of Spain’s stunning landscapes, the team also cast several Spanish actors that “understood the acting and directing style” of the UK-created series.

Frauds will premiere on Sunday 5th October at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX

The UK’s most comfortable hotel chains have been ranked on factors including their beds and customer reviews, and you won’t need to break the bank to stay

There’s nothing worse than getting to your hotel room and getting ready for a good night’s sleep, only to discover that the mattress is lumpy or the pillow is too firm for your liking.

However, Brits planning their next UK holidays are in luck because some snooze experts have done some very important research and uncovered the comfiest hotel chains where you’re most likely to get a decent night’s sleep thanks to the room and bedding.

The best part? You won’t need to splash out on a five-star hotel that ruins your budget for the year. In fact, the winning brand was Travelodge, which came out top on factors including customer reviews.

The sleep experts at Bed Store conducted the study after finding that when it comes to hotel guest reviews, mattress comfort and pillow quality often top other factors such as a hotel’s amenities. To determine the rankings, reviewers looked at factors including guest mentions of comfort, overall hotel scores, and a final reviewer rating.

Travelodge source mattresses from Sleepeezee, who hold a royal warrant and use pocket spring systems, where individual springs respond independently to body movements, to make up their comfortable bedding.

Room affordability also played a role, and it’s no surprise that Travelodge scored well in this area; when we looked at the brand’s price finder tool, we found rooms from £35 a night in October.

In fact, the hotel chain currently has a flash sale with one million rooms available for £35 and less, for stays on eligible dates through to the 24th September 2026 (it’s worth noting that this excludes the brand’s London hotels where rooms start from £49 a night).

Meanwhile, they have a guide on their website to finding cheap rooms year-round, whether that’s booking direct, opting for midweek stays or using their price finder tool if you can be flexible with your booking dates.

Another budget-friendly chain to feature in the top five rankings included Premier Inn, which already boasts a cult following for their comfortable beds; so much in fact that they even sell their pillows and bedding after having received the request from guests so often.

Looking for more inspiration for your next staycation? According to the research, the top five ‘comfiest’ hotel chains in the UK were:

1. Travelodge
2. (Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG)
3. Premier Inn
4. Best Western
5. Marriott

Adrian Brown, owner of Bed Store, revealed that it can be quite easy to recreate those levels of comfort at home too. Commenting on the study he explained: “The research shows that comfort is king, not luxury branding, when it comes to a good night’s sleep. Hotels might be spending millions on their menu or decor, but the review data shows that a good night’s sleep is the single most important factor.

“Many of the mattresses used in the leading hotels are from well-known UK suppliers such as Sleepeezee, Sealy, and Silentnight — meaning people can recreate that hotel-quality comfort at home.”

Do you have a story to tell us? Email us at [email protected].

Karen Carney shot to the top of the leaderboard on Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, with fans surprised by the footballer’s dance skills. Now it has been revealed Karen has a secret dance past

Footballer Karen Carney left Strictly Come Dancing fans stunned with her performance on the weekend. Karen and professional dance partner Carlos Gu’s Jive to One Way or Another wowed the audiences in the studio and at home.

However, fans of the BBC show may not know that Karen has a huge dance past – and actually danced for years as a child, before turning to her beloved football and progressing in her sports career.

In an old interview with the FA, she said: “I enjoyed football when I was a kid and had loads of kickabouts but I didn’t join my first club until I was 11. Until then, it was all about dancing for me.”

As part of her dance training, Karen would perfect her routines for three hours every Saturday and also revealed she took part in “big events” on a Sunday whilst she was at school in the week.

“When I got a bit older and my football matches switched to a Sunday, I had some choices to make,” she said, “I decided to give up dancing when I was 15. My agility, my strength, my power and how I move my feet during a match are all definitely down to dancing, 100 per cent. I was quite little but I was quite strong and that was because all the dancing made my muscles stronger.”

In an exclusive interview with OK!, Karen revealed she was keen to show a different side of her.

She said: “The challenge for me will be trying to show the real version of me, and not getting shy or awkward, or insular. A lot of people will have seen me in the football environment, and it’s quite intense. My feeling is that people perceive me in a certain way — that I’m very… serious. But that’s not really accurate!

“I want people to see the warm side of me. The kind, caring team player. I’m actually quite awkward, and nervous. But I’m also really daft and funny, and I probably just want to bring the other version of Karen, not the footballer Karen.

“Everyone I know who’s been on Strictly has told me not to be too hard on myself. If it was football, I’d be absolutely critical of myself, but this isn’t my thing, it’s the pros’ thing — and I’m humbled and privileged to be on the show.”

Karen has also become firm friends with her fellow Strictly stars, including Vicky Pattison. She revealed: “It’s just a lovely bunch this year. Vicky is so down-to-earth and she’s got really good energy,” she grins. “She always comes to me and says, ‘Are you OK?’ and I’m like, ‘Yes I’m OK, but are you OK?!’

“Ross King also cracks me up. He asked me to bring in a ball, so I said I’d bring in a mini ball, because it’ll keep me calm too, so we’ll be messing around and playing football when we can.”

Karen is now one of the favourites to win, with odds for the footballer rising from 16/1 to 5/1.

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NICOLE Kidman and Keith Urban’s lawyers have a big job ahead of them in splitting the couple’s mammoth property empire after their bombshell split.

Nicole, 58, and Keith, 57, have called it quits after 19 years of marriage, with the Babygirl actress filing divorce papers on Tuesday, September 30.

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The couple, who share two daughters, have reportedly been living separately since the beginning of summer.

Just days ago, Nicole was seen still wearing her wedding ring and in good spirits at Cle de Peau’s event in Los Angeles as she appeared as their new brand ambassador.

The pair will have to spend time dividing their assets after almost two decades of marriage.

They mainly resided with their daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14, in Tennessee.

Nicole is also mom to Isabella and Connor, whom she adopted during her marriage with her ex-husband, Tom Cruise.

The couple has spent millions on a property portfolio now worth more than $250million, according to online real estate sites.

Their main 20-room mansion is located just outside of Nashville and was purchased in 2008 for $4.89 million, two years after they tied the knot.

They married on June 25, 2006, at Cardinal Cerretti Memorial Chapel, located on the grounds of St. Patrick’s Estate in Manly, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. 

MILLION-DOLLAR LISTINGS

The lavish abode has seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, along with a fully-equipped gym, a large tennis court, and a swimming pool, which were installed by the couple.

During the same year, Nicole and Keith also snapped up a Beverly Hills home for $6.77 million that has five bedrooms and five bathrooms.

The estate was built in the 1960s and sits on a 1.25-acre lot with celebrity neighbors Adele and Jennifer Lawrence in the desired neighborhood.

Listings show it has a flat-top roof, a pool, and a second-floor wraparound deck. 

They also bought their Australian farmhouse in 2008 for $6.5million, called Bunya Hill, which is located in the Southern Highlands village of Sutton Forrest.

The 45-hectare black Angus cattle farm features a large Georgian-style house built in 1878.

The home has sandstone verandas, a cedar staircase, and 10 marble fireplaces.

It sits on a private hilltop and includes a guest cottage.

The property has been updated with a swimming pool, tennis court, and gym.

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Two years after buying their main properties, the couple splashed out $13.53 million for a Manhattan duplex in the upscale Chelsea neighborhood.

It’s located in a stainless-steel tower and includes three bedrooms, a “double-height great room with a cathedral ceiling,” and two terraces with views of the Hudson River.

One of its most appealing qualities is its private “sky garage” with an elevator for apartment-level parking.

They also reportedly own two penthouses that were combined in the Latitude Building in Sydney’s Milsons Point. 

The first was bought for almost $6 million in 2009, while the second was around $7 million in 2012.

They also snapped up four more apartments in the same building.  

Last year, they also bought yet another residence in the same complex for $7.7million.

In 2020, they added to their New York portfolio after snapping up a two-bedroom apartment in Tribeca for $3.5 million.

According to the New York Post, there are three separate entrances into the building for added privacy.

The residence offers a 75-foot indoor lap pool, rooftop gardens, and a 2,200-square-foot fitness center.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s Relationship Timeline

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have been one of Hollywood’s ‘It

January 2005 – Nicole and Keith were introduced by actor Geoffrey Rush during the G’Day LA gala ball.

February 2006 – The couple made their public debut as an item at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards.

May 2006 – Keith’s publicist revealed that he and Nicole were “very happily engaged.”

June 2006 – The twosome tied the knot at a chapel in Manly, Australia, surrounded by many famous guests.

October 2006 – Keith checked himself into rehab for drug and alcohol issues at the urging of his new wife.

December 2006 – Model Amanda Wyatt claimed that Keith had cheated on Nicole with her multiple times, leading up to their nuptials.

In January 2008 – Nicole’s rep revealed that she and Keith were expecting their first child together.

July 2008 – Keith and Nicole welcomed their first child, a daughter named Sunday Rose.

December 2010 – The duo introduced their second child, Faith Margaret, to the world, whom they welcomed via surrogate.

July 2015 – Nicole confessed to Vogue that she’d wished she’d met Keith earlier in life, so that they could’ve had more children together.

June 2016 – Keith opened up to Rolling Stone about how Nicole helped him get sober by insisting that he go to rehab a decade earlier.

October 2018 – Nicole gushed about her simple, quiet life in Nashville with Keith, and said that was the secret to their happy marriage.

June 2021 – Keith shared a sweet Instagram post, commemorating his and Nicole’s 15th wedding anniversary.

July 2024 – Keith, Nicole, and their daughters were seen enjoying the Gymnastics Women’s Team Final at the Paris Olympics.

April 2025 – Nicole referred to Keith as her “deep, deep love” during an interview with People, and said she was “lucky” to have the musician.

September 2025 – TMZ announced that Nicole and Keith had separated and were no longer living together.

There’s also a wine cellar with its own private dining room.

Since the couple’s split, their two children have been in Nicole’s care, and she is “holding the family together through this difficult time since Keith has been gone,” according to reports.

It is currently still unknown what led to the pair’s separation.

Sources claim that Nicole was “blindsided,” as she had been desperate to save their marriage, one of the longest in Hollywood.

Insiders also said that “Keith has acquired his own residence in Nashville and has moved out of their family home,” although this has not yet been confirmed.

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Nicole and Keith’s reps for comment but did not hear back.

Both Nicole and Keith grew up in Australia, but did not meet until 2005 at a gala.

Keith swooned over his wife in an interview with CBS News in 2016.

Nicole told Ellen DeGeneres in 2017: “I had such a crush on him, and he wasn’t interested in me.

“It’s true! He didn’t call me for four months.”

The actress has spent a considerable amount of time filming in England recently, which may have put strain on their relationship.

She has been shooting scenes for the Practical Magic sequel and reportedly shelled out $87,288 a month to stay at Boy George’s luxurious mansion – without Keith.

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Strictly Come Dancing 2025 viewers think they have already worked out who will win the BBC series from the launch episode, months before the live final in December

Fans of Strictly Come Dancing think they’ve already cracked who will win the 2025 series as the launch show kicked off on Saturday.

As the new line-up hit the dance floor for the first time and performed for the judges, fans claimed to have spotted the winner. Just one performance in and months before the final in December, viewers picked out one pairing in particular that they say are “going to win”.

All of the new celebs and their professional dance partners hit the studio ballroom, having been introduced by hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. As the judges had their say on their first routines and their skills so far, it was clear some pairs were doing better than others.

As the show continued, fans shared their thoughts on the “clear winner” and named Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope as their champion. Despite Amber Davies and footballer Karen Carney proving popular, it was Lewis’ week one routine that left fans convinced he’d be this year’s winner.

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One fan posted on X: “Oh stop it!! Katya and Lewis, finalists init,” as another said: “Oh Lewis is gonna walk this series. Wow.” A third fan added: “Anyone else got a strange hunch the star of West End DANCE show Billy Elliot, Lewis Cope, might win in 2025?”

A further comment read: “I can deffo see Lewis winning this,” as another commented: “Lewis stole the show.” One fan said: “Do think Lewis has a good shot at this, final if not winner.”

Some viewers did believe Karen would be the winner though. One said: “Calling it now. Karen and Carlos to win.” Another agreed: “Karen Carney is literally gonna win strictly come dancing 2025 I’m so serious,” as another said: “Karen to win.”

It comes after the news Dani Dyer had to pull out of the show days before the first live episode. She shared a sweet message for her Strictly co-stars ahead of Saturday’s episode after being forced to leave the show earlier this week due to an injury.

It was announced on Tuesday that the 29-year-old would no longer be able to compete on the show after a fall during rehearsals led to her fracturing her ankle. However, despite not being able to take part, Dani has sent a message of support to her co-stars.

Taking to her Instagram stories, the mum-of-three wrote: “Good luck to all the gorgeous cast starting there Strictly journey tonight. Can’t wait to watch you all, so proud & know how hard you’ve all been working.. see you all soon.”

The official Strictly Come Dancing Instagram page revealed the sad news of Dani’s exit as they captioned it: “Unfortunately due to an injury Dani Dyer is no longer able to compete in #Strictly 2025. She’ll be sorely missed and we wish her a speedy recovery.”

IT will come as no surprise to their stylish famous fans, but Chelsea supporters are the best dressed in the Premier League.

The club’s followers are most likely to wear a smart suit for a night out, a survey has revealed.

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Celebrity fans including Gordon Ramsay, Jeremy Clarkson, David Baddiel, Madness singer Suggs and actor Phil Daniels are always well turned out for a trip to the club’s Stamford Bridge home — and regular fans have followed suit.

But it’s not really a surprise, as back in the Seventies Chelsea’s players, including Alan Hudson and Peter Osgood, were known as the kings of the King’s Road for their fashionable sense of style.

And the club’s 21st-century fans have maintained the tradition, according to research by betting site freebet.com, with 16 per cent getting suited and booted for a big night.

While fans of Newcastle, Burnley and Wolves were in the relegation zone with just one per cent being bothered to look smart.

The table shows there’s a clear North/South divide when it comes to off-the-pitch style.

The top seven spots are filled by teams from London and the south, with Man City and Leeds sharing eighth place with Brentford and West Ham with five per cent.

Spokesman Tim Agnew said: “Our research shows Chelsea fans are the best dressed fans in the Premier League.

“They already had a reputation for wearing Gucci and Prada and our research confirms Chelsea fans like to look sharp.”

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Drag Race UK is returning to our screens with a new group of talented icons, but one specific star has links to the royal family

Drag Race UK is returning to our screens tonight, and one of the stars might be very familiar to a few viewers. Drag queen Paige Three, who hails from Surrey, is one of the many gorgeous queens taking part in the UK’s version of RuPaul’s beloved series – which airs on BBC.

Speaking about her iconic name, she said: “Paige Three, if you don’t know, is a play on words referencing the glamorous women who posed on page three of a tabloid newspaper. My take on that is to exude glamour, body and serve up a performance that everybody’s talking about!”

Other queens taking part are Catrin Feelings, Tayris Mongardi, Sally TM, Silllexa Diction, Pasty, Nyongbella, Elle Vosque, Viola, Chai T Grande, Bonnie Ann Clyde, Bones.

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Paige might be ready to lip sync for her life but she’s used to working under pressure as she once performed for Queen Elizabeth II at her 90th birthday as a dancer with Beverly Knight.

Speaking of her career, Paige Three said: “I’ve done all sorts of random stuff in my drag career. You might have seen me at brunches all around London, sometimes I run a bingo, I have performed with Kimberly Wyatt from The Pussycat Dolls.

“I’ve worked really hard to get where I am, but I feel that I’ve reached a wall and I want to break through it and see what else I can do!”

Meanwhile, a huge pop star is joining the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK panel and fans are convinced they know what lip sync will be played.

Mama Ru will be back alongside Drag Race veterans Alan Carr, Graham Norton and Michelle Visage as they hunt for the next UK superstar.

They will be joined by a series of celebrity guest judges, who will be on hand of offer up their honest opinions. To the delight of fans, Girls Aloud icon and singer Nadine Coyle will be among those making a VIP appearance.

She said: “Having been a guest for season three’s Snatch Game (and impersonated by the one and only Charra Tea on season six’s Snatch Game!), it’s such a dream come true to be a guest judge on this season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK!

“What an incredible experience to see the immense talent and creativity from the queens, and it was a joy to sit on the judges panel with Michelle, Graham, and the spellbinding RuPaul! You’re all in for a treat!”

Fans loved the announcement and are certain they know what to expect when she appears. One said: “For the love of God, Go To Work has GOT to be a lip sync song.”

Another added: “Already know that ‘Go To Work’ lip sync is going to be one of most iconic lip syncs ever!!” Someone else commented: “MOTHER HAS ARRIVED.”

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An Emmerdale star suffered an injury away from the set of the ITV soap and script writers had to acknowledge it in the latest episode of the long-running programme

Emmerdale writers had to incorporate the real-life injury of one of its stars into Monday night’s episode. The ITV soap was in its usual slot at the beginning of the week, and Mary Goskirk (Louise Jameson) was seen walking with a cane.

In the Woolpack, Tracy Robinson (Amy Walsh) spotted Mary’s ailment when she ordered a drink and asked: “So, did you have a fall?”, but Mary seemingly issued a joke back.

As Mary handed her a glass of white wine, she told her: “No, I did it bungee jumping!”

Soaps tend to film around six to eight weeks ahead of broadcast, and actress Louise, 74, who is also known for her roles in other TV staples like EastEnders and Doctor Who, first told her fans of her leg injury in July, and noted that it had forced her to take time out of a her one woman show.

At the time, she wrote on X: “I’ve taken the ‘break a leg’ advice to its extreme. Apologies for the cancelled shows in Harrogate and Leeds of SHAKESPEARE’S MISTRESS. Rescheduling for the Autumn.

“In the meantime I lie here in my splint. Big shout out to LGI @NHS who took care of me last Monday [heart emoji].”

When a fan asked her: “Get well soon Louise is there an exciting tale behind the injury? Xx,” she replied: “Nope… A boring old fall xxx”

Earlier this year, fans were left uncertain whether an injury had actually occurred in real life after Mary sported a bandage wrapped around her hand and lower arm.

The character Mary explained that she’d fallen down the last couple of steps of the staircase at home, no doubt hitting or landing on the arm. She didn’t say specially what the injury was or if it was broken or sprained.

What she did say though was that she was fine after the fall, and would need a few weeks of rest before she could get the bandages off. Jacob appeared alarmed though, offering to take a look at the injury. She seemed keen to brush it under the carpet while it was clear Jacob was worried. It wasn’t made clear if Mary went to hospital or a doctor to get it checked out, or if she bandaged it up herself.

It was not clarified at the time whether it was an injury that had happened in real life, but it could have been a similar situation with scriptwriters having to work it into the story.

This often happens, and just recently on Coronation Street Kit Green actor Jacob Roberts had surgery on his leg and it was seemingly written into the show. There have been many other instances over the years where an injury or something else is written in.

Prior to that, Simon Gregson, who has played taxi driver Steve McDonald on Coronation Street since 1989, sustained a leg injury and it had to be put into the show.

He said: “I’ve broken my leg. I literally just went over and rolled my ankle, outside the back of the house. It was done in six places.

“I’m able to drive now, but walking across wet fields is a no for me. Because if I slip it’s back to square one.”

Asked if Corrie had to write his broken leg into the script, he said: “Yeah, they’ve written it in. They just kind of spoke about it. It’s like when Bobby Ewing woke up in the shower [in Dallas]. No one cares after about five minutes.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .